OTTUMWA, IOWA -- On Wednesday, the Ottumwa Fire Department had the opportunity to test a new aerial unit.

The current unit that the department uses is outdated and does not reach the top floors of the tallest buildings in Ottumwa.

The truck that the department tested on Wednesday came from a manufacturer in South Dakota.

The fire department says that this is a great opportunity to see what their needs are when they test these units.   

“Basically what we do is we take it out and play with it, just to see what our expectations are. We bring it to the buildings, such as this, and make sure it is going to be feasible to what we need. We are spending a million dollars on a new fire truck, we want to make sure it is going to fit the needs of the Ottumwa Fire Department,” said Deputy Chief Cory Benge of the Ottumwa Fire Department.

Benge says that they are hoping to pay for the new unit through a FEMA grant. The grant would cover almost all of the cost.

If the council approves the new unit, it would be delivered within 18 months.